Differences Between Japan and Malaysia 6~10

1~5 here.

6.  Apartments

In Malaysia, apartments can be divided into three levels of low, medium and high cost. Low cost being flats, medium being apartments, and high being condominiums.

In Japan, there are two types of apartments, namely low cost apaato (アパート apartment) and medium to high cost mansyon (マンション mansion).

Apaato are very different from apartments. They are usually only 2 stories tall with basic room setups and staircase access only. Older apaato might not have shower and bathing areas but nearby there will be sento (public bath) facilities. They are nothing like Malaysian flats or even apartments.

Mansyon are similar to Malaysian apartments, high class ones are called Koukyu Mansyon （高級マンション）which are similar to Malaysian condominiums. Mansyon are usually more than 3 stories tall with better facilities and nicer rooms.

7.  Houses

In Malaysia, houses are typically available in terrace, semi-detached or bungalow forms. My own house is 1 amongst a row of terrace houses whilst Pancakes is a semi-detached.

In Japan, most houses are detached houses called ikkodate (一戸建) or ikkenya (一軒家). One thing I like about the houses in Japan are that they all look different from one another. It's quite fun walking around the neighbourhood looking at the different architectural designs.

8.  Drink

Drinks in Japan are either unsweetened or slightly sweet in comparison to Malaysia's diabetic-inducing sugar syrup disguised as drinks. Even Coke and other soft drinks here in Japan are less sweet than Malaysia's. It takes some time getting used to but not only is it healthier, in the long run we've come to prefer the Japan version.

Also! Bottled tea drinks like green tea, jasmine tea, etc. are sold unsweetened only in Japan. In Malaysia, coming across unsweetened drinks is like hitting jackpot.

9.  Food

Just like Malaysia which has different types of food ranging from Indian, Malay, Chinese, Nyonya and more, Japan has several food types as well.

Let's start with traditional Japanese food called washoku 和食. Examples of washoku are sushi, sashimi, tempura, miso soup, ochazuke, grilled fish.  There's also yoshoku 洋食 which is Western-style food like omurice, hamburg steak, Napolitan pasta, doria, curry. Lastly, there's chuuka 中華  that's Chinese inspired. These include ramen, gyoza, nikuman (and other -man), karaage, harumaki.

10. Main Mode of Transport

The most used mode of transport in Malaysia is cars and motorcycles. In Japan, it's trains. The train system in Japan is very reliable. It is almost always on time. In the case there is a delay, the station will issue chien syoumeishou (遅延証明書 proof of delay) that you can show to your school or office so you won't get in trouble for being late. FYI certain trian lines are more prone to delays.

Until next time~ 🎊